Bride left Vane long enough to open the gate and show them to her studio in the back. When she came back, she found Vane leaning against the side of her building, looking at the moving van.
Her heart pounded. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I'm really glad you came by when you did."
He reached to toy with an idle curl she had lying on her shoulder. "Me, too."
"I, um I'll have to make payments to you for the movers."
"Don't worry about it. It's a gift."
"Vane"
"Don't worry about it," he insisted. "I told you, money has no real value to me."
How much money would he have to have to be able to say that about fifteen thousand dollars? And why would a guy this rich be hanging out with her?
"Well, it has value to me and I don't want to be obligated to you for anything."
"You're not obligated to me, Bride. Ever."
"No, I have to pay you back."
"Then have dinner with me and we'll call it even."
She shook her head at him. "That's no way to pay you back."
"Sure it is."
She opened her mouth to respond, then remembered her other Vane. "Oh no, I have to go get my wolf. He'll be beside himself!"
Vane went pale at her words, but she didn't notice since she was already headed back into her store.
He looked around to make sure the movers couldn't see him, then flashed himself back into the closet in the back room as a wolf.
He had barely made it before she opened the door.
"There you are, boy," she said, kneeling down to pet him. "I'm so sorry I had to put you in here. You okay?"
He nuzzled her gently.
She gave him a tight hug and then stood up. "C'mon, baby, I have someone I want you to meet."
Vane ground his teeth at her words. How on earth could he meet himself?
He was powerful, but that was beyond even his abilities.
Instead, he bolted for the half-open door and kept running until he was sure she was out of sight.
Bride went running after her wolf.
"Vane!" she called, rushing to the door. She couldn't see a trace of him anywhere.
"You called?"
She jumped, then turned to see the human Vane behind her. "No, my wolf"
"Is named Vane?"
She opened her mouth as her face heated. "It's a long story."